Linux

[Hangman]

I have just given my 7 year old daughter my wife's old netbook. It is currently running Win7 Starter edition but is still pretty slow.

Spec wise is is fairly standard for netbooks, Atom 1.6Ghz CPU with 1GB of Ram.

All my daughter uses the netbook for is web based children's games and spotify.

I was thinking about removing Win7 and replacing with Linux (do you think this would improve the performance)

I have no experience with Linux which would be the best version to use and will it include the standard drivers etc that I would need?

Thanks

[Lou_smorals]

Hi
great move, hopefully she will learn Linux. I use Linux mint 12 (cinnamon edit) but I believe Zorin is made to operate most like windows - but why? have a look on distrowatch and you will notice more efficient use of the hardware.
good luck
LS

[the.insane]

Yep Zorin 5.2 , i have had a bit of trouble with the new Zorin 6. MoonOS is another good alternative, both are easy to navigate

[Lou_smorals]

Hi
Although very Ubuntu linked this might help you.

LS

[maltloaf]

depending on what netbook it is, you might be able to install a fully functioning mac os x. Just a thought.

[tombott]

Ubuntu or Mint. I'd personally go Ubuntu, but Mint is very good, esp with Cinnamon.
When you are looking for support, these two are going to be the best bet.
My 7 year old has been using Ubuntu since the age of 3, he uses Windows and Apple at school and has no issues.
Kids work things out, and don't have the deep rooted 'Windows' mindset that most adults have.

[DejaVu]

Totally agree that getting kids used to other OS's can only be a good thing.

I'm a Windows baby, but have found myself dipping my toes into Linux. I like what I find, but I am so 'Deep Rooted' I find simple things I cannot work out how to do in Linux that I'm comfortable doing in Windows.
Installing some things for example is a little more long winded than double clicking an EXE file.

The OP asks if a 1.6GHz/1GB Netbook would run better on Linux. The simple answer is yes. Much better. As we all know, Windows has too much bloat.

[tombott]

Totally agree that getting kids used to other OS's can only be a good thing.

I'm a Windows baby, but have found myself dipping my toes into Linux. I like what I find, but I am so 'Deep Rooted' I find simple things I cannot work out how to do in Linux that I'm comfortable doing in Windows.
Installing some things for example is a little more long winded than double clicking an EXE file.

The OP asks if a 1.6GHz/1GB Netbook would run better on Linux. The simple answer is yes. Much better. As we all know, Windows has too much bloat.

I hear what you are saying. When I started using Linux full-time back in 2005 it was a bit of a nightmare, but I am a stubborn fucker and I was adamant that I would never use Windows again having to so fed up of 6 monthly rebuilds!
I would say that things have got a lot easier since then! Installing software should in theory be very easy, just use the Software Centre or apt-get.
What took me time was getting my around not downloading 'EXE' files but letting the package managers do the work for me.

[Lou_smorals]

Hi
with me its the stuff you do in terminal, how can anybody remember all those lol
LS

[tombott]

Hi
with me its the stuff you do in terminal, how can anybody remember all those lol
LS

Do you ever use the cmd line in Windows?
Having used DOS before Windows came along I know my way around the CMD line so always use it when I can under Windows.

You don't have to use the Terminal (CLI) in Linux or Windows, but some of us just find it quicker too.
Also with Linux as there are so many distro, Windows managers etc talking somebody through doing something under Ubuntu running Gnome via the GUI would be different talking somebody through Linux Mint running Cinnamon, but it should be the same via the CLI.

[Lou_smorals]

Hi
I am using mint 13 cinnamon, and love it,
LS

[Hangman]

Think I will go for it and see how we go.

Maltloaf - Would OSX work on an Intel Atom processor and would it be faster than Windows 7 Starter?

[TotallyRandom]

I had a Dell Mini 9 that was running slow with XP/Windows 7 that my son was using for flash games ect

So installed Ubuntu installed VLC/Flash/Chrome

Thing running like a dream really quick now and very straight forward to use

[maltloaf]

Think I will go for it and see how we go.

Maltloaf - Would OSX work on an Intel Atom processor and would it be faster than Windows 7 Starter?

My dell mini 9 and mini 10 both ran OS X brilliantly. It depends what hardware it has, for the driver support in OS X

[Hangman]

Was just about to give it a go and found that the netbook isn't charging.

I'll have to open it up to see if it is something simple around the connection point.

[Mobius]

If you need spotify, the version currently available for linux only supports premium and unlimited subscriptions. You can find instructions to install under debian/ubuntu at http://www.spotify.com/uk/download/previews/

[Hangman]

Just thought i'd pop back, currently using my daughters netbook with its new version of Ubuntu installed.

Was much easier to do than I thought, but might take a little time for her to get used to the changes.

Thank you all for your advise.

[Lou_smorals]

Hi
well done but Mint Cinnamon is where all the big cocks hang out lolol
LS

[Hangman]

Hi
well done but Mint Cinnamon is where all the big cocks hang out lolol
LS

As it is for my 7 year old daughter its a good job I didn't install that version lol

[Lou_smorals]

Ha ha ha